Nothing causes quite as much frustration for parents as the feeling that their kids aren’t listening to them. A simple request, like getting shoes on or closing a door, can lead to a frustrated outburst when it has to be repeated a dozen times. Today, I’ve got some tips to encourage effective communication with your kids, and end those “talking … Read More
Sleep Book Reviews
If you walk into your local bookstore and head over to the “Parenting” section, you’ll probably see AT LEAST a dozen books about how to get your baby to sleep. Today, I’m sharing my unfiltered, “tell-em-how-you-really-feel” reviews on a few of the most popular ones. If you’ve read any of them, I’d love to hear your comments! Agree? Disagree? Let … Read More
3 Biggest Bedtime Mistakes
If your little one’s not sleeping well, the first place to look for the problem is at bedtime. A well-crafted, consistent bedtime routine is the foundation for great sleep skills, but what’s the secret to one that works? I’ve got three great tips for you in today’s video to help you do just that! If your baby, infant or toddler … Read More
How to Get Your Husband Involved
We’ve come a long way since the days when Mom was expected to handle all the child-related responsibilities in the family, but there still seems to be an assumption in a lot of families I work with that she’s supposed to handle bedtime, as well as any nighttime wake-ups. Today, I’m talking about why having both parents dividing the nighttime … Read More
Can You Really “Spoil” Your Baby?
The old school of thought that you can “spoil” a baby is gradually getting phased out, and I couldn’t be happier. Infants and young babies haven’t developed the mental ability to be manipulative. They cry if they feel they need something. (Toddlers, whoa boy, you better believe you can spoil them, but that’s another topic for another day.) But babies … Read More
The number one way NOT to discipline your child.
Now before I tell you what this parenting no-no is, I want to preface it by saying that I understand that kids can be incredibly frustrating. We may not like to admit it to our friends at the Mommy and Me playgroup, but parenting isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and sticky lollipop kisses. Sometimes it’s incredibly difficult and it can … Read More
The Problem With Nursing Your Baby to Sleep
Don’t get me wrong! I’m all for breastfeeding, but nursing your baby until they fall asleep can cause an association that makes it difficult for baby to fall asleep without it. Today, I’ve got some tips for helping your little one learn new strategies for falling asleep without the breast. If your baby, infant or toddler is having trouble … Read More
Helping Your Baby to Love Their Crib
As adults, we typically love our beds. They give us feelings of comfort and rest, even when we’re not actually sleeping in them. But for babies, the sight of their crib can signal mommy leaving the scene for a while, or the end of playtime, which can quite often cause some feelings of resentment, leading to protests at bedtime. Today, … Read More
The Six Month Sleep Regression
One of the most frustrating experiences for parents and babies alike is the dreaded six month regression. After all the work they’ve put in, and after everyone’s gotten accustomed to full, restful nights of uninterrupted sleep, baby suddenly seems to reject the idea and starts waking up three or four times a night! Today, I’ll explain what’s behind this phenomenon, … Read More
Are You Addicted to Your Baby Monitor?
The baby monitor is pretty much a guaranteed purchase for new parents, and for good reason. There’s a tremendous amount of peace of mind that comes with the ability to keep an eye on your little one while they sleep. But depending on how they’re used, they can have quite the opposite effect. I’ve seen parents literally sprint down the … Read More